Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Jonathan O’Brien TD today urged voters to make sure they are registered to vote in the presidential election before the deadline of 10th October.

Deputy O’Brien – who is director of the McGuinness for President campaign in Cork – said it was important that people check to see they are on the electoral register, even if they had voted in the past.

“This election is a vital opportunity for people to make a statement about the kind of future they want for our country. It is important that people are registered to vote and that they use their vote.”

“There have been cases at previous elections where people believed they were on the register only to find when they turned up at the polling station they were ineligible to vote. To make sure you will be able to vote in the presidential election, go online at www. checktheregister.ie and see that you are registered.”

“Those who are not currently on the register have until 10th October to put themselves on the supplementary register.”

Deputy O’Brien also criticised the government for holding the presidential election on a Thursday:

“The decision to hold the election on a Thursday will effectively disenfranchise thousands of students who will be away from home at college on the day. It is disgraceful that the government has failed to facilitate these young people to have their say.”

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Members of the public expressed their opposition to the proposed household charge at a meeting organised by Cllr Chris O’Leary in Blackrock last night.

The meeting was aimed at providing a forum for the community in Blackrock and Mahon to organise against the tax, and is the first of a series Sinn Féin will be holding across the city. Speaking at the event, Cllr O’Leary said: “The past two years have seen a raft of flat rate taxes and charges being introduced which will hit ordinary families hardest: the Universal Social Charge, the proposed Household Charge, and most recently the 2% levy on all insurance policies designed to cover the losses of the Quinn Group.” “The Household Charge will be €100 whether the householder is earning millions or struggling to get by. As such it breaches the most fundamental principle of a progressive taxation system.”“It is also the thin end of the wedge. Reputable economists have predicted it could rise to as much as €700 or €800.”Calling the introduction of the charge a first step towards the privatisation of the water service, he said:“Privatisation does not work. It is presented as providing more choice and a better service for the consumer, but in fact means the opposite. Just two companies control two thirds of all the privatised water utilities in the world.” The meeting closed with a discussion of ways to forward the campaign, including protests at TDs’ offices. For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The incoming chair of Cork City Council’s finance committee, Cllr Chris O’Leary, has said the council faces a severe funding crisis in the next year and urgent action must be taken if it is to maintain services.

Cllr O’Leary said: “It was confirmed this week that the council faces a €3.725 million shortfall in funding this year.” “A significant part of this arises from government funds, including the housing grant, water service grant and roads grant, being withdrawn. This will have a direct impact on council services. Housing maintenance will virtually cease, there will be less money to repair water pipes as we go into the winter, and the budget for traffic calming and road re-surfacing will be cut to the bone.” “The council faces a further challenge when 134 staff take early retirement next year. Each of these will be entitled to a payment equivalent to 18 months wages, leaving the financial position of the council even more critical than has been indicated.” “The council now needs to prioritise essential services. In the past year we have seen money designated for vanity projects like the Sky-Garden and refitting the Lord Mayor’s chamber without the approval of council. This cannot continue.” “There also needs to be a serious look at the issue of conference expenses and the Lord Mayors’ pay.” “The City Manager needs to inform council how much is being realised by the sale of the refuse service to Country Clean and whether the best value is being achieved for this.” “At a national level, the government needs to live up to the commitments it has made to fund local authorities and in the longer term, initiate a fundamental reform of the way local government is funded.”

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Speaking after last night’s meeting of the local Community Safety Forum, Sinn Féin’s representative for the Mayfield area, Pat Coughlan, said the authorities now needed to follow up with action.

He said:

“Last night’s meeting of the Community Safety Forum for Mayfield saw a massive attendance of over 150 local residents. Many expressed anger and frustration at what they saw as the neglect of their community by the council and the poor response from the Gardai to issues of criminality and anti-social behaviour.”

“While the meeting provided a valuable forum for people to have their say with council officials and senior Gardai present, it must now be followed up by action.”

“The council must take steps to reduce the number of boarded-up houses in the area and improve the public realm through better street lighting and the closure of alleyways which have facilitated drug-dealing. It must also, crucially, fast-track the process of evicting tenants who are engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour.”

“The Gardai must continue to engage with the community to police it in a way that is more responsive to the needs and concerns of local people.”

For further information or comment contact Pat Coughlan @ 086-23836005

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sinn Féin’s representative for the Mayfield area, Pat Coughlan, has called for a strong attendance at next Monday’s emergency meeting of the Community Safety Forum.

He said:

“An emergency meeting of the Community Safety Forum for Mayfield will take place on Monday night at 7.30pm in Mayfield Community School.”

“The meeting was agreed by Mayfield Gardai following a request by Jonathan O’Brien TD at a recent session of the Joint Policing Committee.”

“In recent weeks there has been a lot of concern expressed in the area about the anti-social activities of a small number of people. This meeting is an opportunity for residents to put these concerns directly to representatives of the Gardai and the City Council who will be in attendance.”

“I would encourage the local community to make full use of this opportunity. People should attend the meeting and ensure that all issues of concern are fully discussed.”

For further information or comment contact Pat Coughlan @ 086-23836005

A public meeting against the proposed household charge and government austerity measures will take place at Blackrock GAA Club next Wednesday 21st September.

The meeting, which will commence at 7.30pm, is being organised by local councillor Chris O’Leary. Encouraging residents of Mahon and Blackrock to attend the meeting, Cllr O’Leary said: “This meeting is the next step in Sinn Féin’s ongoing campaign against the proposed household charge. Last Monday night we successfully persuaded Cork City Council to pass a motion opposing the charge – next week we start bringing the campaign into communities across the city.” “The household charge is a flat tax which will fall hardest on those on low incomes, the unemployed and working families. It is grossly unfair, because it will be levied at exactly the same rate on every household regardless of their income.” “The proposed €100 charge is only the beginning. Unless it is defeated now, the payment will rise year on year and householders will end up facing bills of hundreds of euro.” “As we saw a number of years ago when the then government attempted to remove the automatic right to the medical card from pensioners, popular opposition can defeat unjust and ill-thought out proposals. On Wednesday night I am hoping people from Mahon and Blackrock will turn out to discuss how we can organise in our communities to defeat the household charge.”

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Cllr Mick Nugent has welcomed the passage of a number of motions put forward by Cork Sinn Féin at the party’s weekend Ard Fheis, several of which focused on the plight of mortgage-holders and those on the social housing list.

On foot of a proposal from Cork Sinn Féin, the Ard Fheis called for properties under the control of NAMA which are identified as suitable for social housing to be handed over to local authorities in order to reduce the housing list.

Another motion called for legislation to allow those in affordable housing who are experiencing repayment difficulties to access a rental scheme which would allow them remain in their homes while working through their financial difficulties.

The Ard Fheis also passed a motion calling for a debate on Ireland’s continued membership of the Euro.

Commenting, Cllr Nugent said:

“The Ard Fheis was a great success with a strong Cork contingent. I am particularly happy that a series of motions on housing put forward by the party in Cork were adopted as party policy. This reflects the strong emphasis on this issue by Sinn Féin in Cork over the past year – as the scale of the housing crisis is once more underlined by the news that the council’s housing list is now over 9,000.”

Cork City Council last night passed a Sinn Féin motion opposing taxes on families, including the proposed household charge, and calling on the government to seek alternative means of reducing the deficit.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Chris O’Leary said:“I welcome the council’s support for Sinn Féin’s campaign against the imposition of increased financial burdens on families. The 7% Universal Social Charge and the proposed water and household charges are flat taxes which will hit those on low incomes, the unemployed and working families hardest.”“The household charge would be levied at exactly the same rate on every householder regardless of their income. This would place the heaviest burden on those who have the least, and be grossly unfair.” “There are other ways of reducing the budget deficit, and Sinn Féin has repeatedly laid them out. These include:· Increasing Capital Gains Tax from 25% to 40%, to raise €195 million· Increasing Capitals Acquisitions Tax from 25% to 35%, to raise €110 million· Introducing a new 48% tax on income over €100,000, which would raise €410 million· Standardising discretionary tax reliefs, which would raise €610 million.

“These are the kind of alternative measures which the government should look to in its effort to reduce the deficit.”

Thursday, September 8, 2011

There was a large turnout of residents at a public meeting in Mayfield organised by Sinn Féin last night on the theme of “Creating a Safer Community”. Over fifty people attended the meeting at St Joseph’s Community Centre on the Old Youghal Road.

Residents were united in their concerns about drug-dealing in the area and their determination to come together as a community to tackle the problem.

Several expressed disappointment at the absence of representatives of the Gardai and the council, who had been invited to attend the meeting but declined.

Calls were made for a tougher approach from the Gardai to those known to be dealing in drugs and for the council to evict anti-social tenants. Residents also demanded action from the council to improve the public realm in the area, by reducing the number of boarded up houses, improving lighting, and closing alleyways.

A significant number of residents expressed interest in forming a Residents’ Action Committee to campaign on the issues raised at the meeting.

The gathering was chaired by local Sinn Féin representative Pat Coughlan, and was addressed by Jonathan O’Brien TD as well as councillors Mick Nugent and Chris O’Leary. Afterwards, Mr Coughlan said:

“Tonight’s meeting shows the community in Mayfield coming together to address the problems that are being caused by a small minority of people in the area.”

“While it is up to the Gardai to tackle criminality, there is also a role for the community in making it clear to anti-social elements that they arte not welcome. The Gardai and the council need to support local people in their efforts to improve the quality of life of everybody in Mayfield.”

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Jonathan O’Brien TD, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Defence, is to deliver a keynote address to the party’s Ard Fheis this weekend.

The party’s annual conference is due to take place this Friday and Saturday and this year it will be held in Belfast for the first time. The Ard Fheis will debate over 300 motions concerning issues including the economy, health, housing, and political reform.

Cork North Central TD Jonathan O’Brien will be speaking in the live session on Saturday morning. He will also open the section on Justice and Equality Saturday evening, laying out Sinn Féin’s vision of a reformed, fair and impartial justice system.

A number of motions submitted by Cork Sinn Féin are to be debated at the conference, including one calling for properties owned by NAMA which are suitable for housing to be handed over to local authorities and used to reduce the social housing list.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Sinn Féin is to hold a public meeting in Mayfield on the theme of “Creating a Safer Community” next Wednesday. The meeting will take place at St Joseph’s Community Centre on the Old Youghal Road at 7.30pm and will be hosted by Sinn Fein’s Justice Spokesperson, Jonathan O’Brien TD.

Commenting, local Sinn Féin representative Pat Mr Coughlan said:

“In recent months there has been concern among residents in Ballinderry Park and some surrounding areas about an upsurge in drug-dealing involving a small number of individuals.”

“Following a meeting with members of the community last week, Sinn Féin is holding a public meeting to allow Mayfield residents to address a number of issues affecting the area.”

“These include allegations of drug-dealing, anti-social behaviour and the number of vacant houses.”

“We have invited representatives of the Gardai and Cork City Council to hear residents’ concerns.”

“The meeting will also look at the possibility of setting up a Residents’ Action Group to tackle these issues.”

Cork Sinn Féin will launch the party’s campaign against family taxes today at 1pm outside the GPO on Oliver Plunkett Street.

Speaking in advance of the event, Cllr Chris O’Leary said:
“The 7% Universal Social Charge and the proposed water and household charges are flat taxes which will hit working families the hardest.”
“The new household charge will be levied at exactly the same rate on every householder regardless of their income. This places the heaviest burden on those who have the least, and is grossly unfair.”
“Ordinary families are being made pay the cost of bailing out the bankers and paying off international bondholders.”
“There are alternative ways of reducing the budget deficit, and Sinn Féin has repeatedly laid them out. These include:
· Increasing Capital Gains Tax from 25% to 40%, to raise €195 million
· Increasing Capitals Acquisitions Tax from 25% to 35%, to raise €110 million
· Introducing a new 48% tax on income over €100,000, which would raise €410 million
· Standardising discretionary tax reliefs, which would raise €610 million.

“We launch our campaign against family taxes in Cork today, and will be following it up with public meetings, leafleting campaigns and other events across the city between now and the budget.”